Thursday, January 3, 2013

2012 Recap and Looking Ahead

Like many of you, I am doing Lifebook 2013.  For our first week, Tam asked us to do a blessings and goal page for 2013.  Here's mine.  Before stepping on the gas in my little pink convertible (cute - right?) I thought it would be useful to look back on 2012, and consider the "take aways" to power me on my journey.  So, in words and pictures, here is 2012 Month by Month:

January 2012:

On December 31, 2011, I stepped down from the day-to-day running of Gas Lamp Players, the community theater group I was involved with for 20 years, to devote myself to my artwork.  


So it was fitting that in January, Custom Decor brought me to the Atlanta Gift Show to sign decorative flags I had designed for them.  Look at that line!  While in Atlanta, I stayed with my good friends, Kathy and Michael Ricardo, both of whom had long careers in Broadway musicals like "A Chorus Line," and "Dancin'."  They, and I, were bemused by the hoopla around my flag signing - which was a good reminder that celebrity, like beauty, is in the eye of the beholder!

February 2012:

The Music Man, my "farewell swan song" for Gas Lamp Players, opened in February.  


Directing this was so meaningful.  Cynthia Leigh Heim, who played Marian in the Broadway revival, consulted on the production!  Cynthia lives nearby, and was willing to lend her expertise to our little theater group!  My take-away - people are willing to help and share their knowledge -- you just have to ask them.


Right after Music Man closed, we went back to Guatemala to see our families and help in one of the schools there.  The take-away -- I am happiest when I am being of service to others.  It is a vital part of my DNA.
March 2012:

In March, I enrolled in Julie Fei-Fan Balzer's "30 Days in Your Art Journal" online class, and it changed my life.  Seriously!  It opened up a whole new world to me -- the world of the blog-o-sphere, mixed media retreats, new friends, and a fresh approach to my design work.  Julie is such an encouraging, empowering teacher.  Those two qualities were my take-aways.  Here are two of my favorite March pages - so different from any art I had previously made.

April 2012:

Passover, painting and Prague were the three "P"s of April.  Mariel, my oldest, was studying in Prague, and spending a week there was so inspiring.  With my 2012 intention to focus more on art, I was hyper-aware of the art that was everywhere!


Artistically,  April for me was about the world of Zentangle.  I think ONE is my favorite.  I am both happy and a little teary that I sold it this fall.

May 2012:

In May, I discovered challenges!  One of my favorite was Scrapping the Music, which now has an active Flickr group.  Through participating, I got to know the wonderful Michelle LaPoint Rydell.

May is also Samy's and my Dad's birthday months, and Samy pronounced her Hunger Games themed 11th birthday party her best party ever!

June 2012:

In June, I signed up for a 30 day prompt challenge at Run With Scissors.  I hope Janel hosts it again in 2013!  Here are some of my favorite pages:

Even more than art, I will remember June 2012 for the beautiful tribute that Gas Lamp Players made for me.  It was full of reminiscing and song, delicious food, art made for me by many wonderful children, and beautiful speeches by my friends and family.  Here is the video of the performances -- it's long but my family speaks at about 54.30,  Samy sings at about 1.00, and I speak (and I sing - lol!) towards the end at 1.12 or so...  I will never forget this day, and still well up with tears at the generosity and love of everyone who participated in this event. 


July and August 2012

No longer running Gas Lamp Players, I was able to get away for the summer and spend a lot of time in our cabin in Westchester.  There, I painted a lot - and finally made the move (thanks to Dina Wakley's out of the journal challenge) to canvas.  Here are some of my pages and canvases from those months.  


I also went to my first ever art retreat - CREATE New Jersey, where I met the wonderful Carolyn Dube.  There, we hatched the idea for Fall Fearless and Fly, which Marcia Beckett was so gracious to let us host at Artists in Blogland.

Fall 2012:

In the fall, I started Flora Bowley's Bloom True online class, which completely turned my way of painting inside out and upside down.  It has been fun, and a little scary!  I also attended Art is You, in Stamford CT, where I reconnected with Carolyn, and also met three more amazing ladies -- Judy Shea, Corinne Gilman, and Marjie Kemper - the four of you are such a gift to me!  It was at Art is You that I met up with the lovely Mary Beth Shaw, and started my relationship with Stencil Girl Products!
November-December 2012


The end of October and most of November were overshadowed by Hurricane Sandy and its aftermath.  Before I knew it, it was Thanksgiving.  December began the first Stencil Test Drive blog hop with a group of amazing artists.  And the yoga studio where I teach gave me a wall of my own for a dedicated Jessica Sporn gallery!  Here are some of the paintings I sold leading up to the holidays!  (Some sold the same day that I hung them up -- crazy!)

I hope you enjoyed my journey through 2012.  It was interesting to compile this, and see how my work evolved over the year.  In 2012, I also opened an Etsy shop, and a print shop on Society 6.  I made pdfs of my art available for download on this blog, and started teaching art journaling!  Looking back, 2012 was a very full year of goodbyes, hellos, endings and beginnings.  Check back in with me soon for a look forward into 2013!

Thank you for visiting! I truly read and treasure each and every comment and will answer any questions as quickly as I can!

Linking up to Paint Party Friday and Creative Every Day.
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41 comments:

  1. That was an amazingly full year Jessica....So much happiness, love your art, your heart, Samy's party - go girls - your trips and finally meeting you at Art-Is-You. 2013 already has some amazing new beginnings for all of us - oh and I want a rid in that hot pink convertible !!! xox

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  2. Jessica - what an amazing 2012 you've had - can't wait to see all the fabulous things in store for you in 2013!

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  3. Incredibly awesome year Jessica! I just read the whole post and totally enjoyed it along with the video! Felt like I actually got to meet u in person.. :) God Bless and thanks for sharing..I look forward to 2013

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  4. What an amazing year you had!!! I loved this post!!!

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  5. wow! You are amazingly accomplished! I really enjoyed seeing all your art and hearing about your very full year!

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  6. wow Jessica you have had an amazingly full year, you make me feel so idle, which I probably am...........but am going to pull up my pants and try and do better..... Thank you for sharing your wonderful experiences. Happy PPF, Annette x

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  7. That is an amazing wrap up of the year and I loved going through it all... so much happened and some incredible highlights... sure this year will bring even more...xx

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  8. Wow, what an incredibly creative year. All the colour is a pleasure to view. Can't wait to see what you do in 2013!

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  9. Wowzers, that was an amazingly creative year!

    x

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  10. Oh I just adore this piece for LB 2013, so fun! See you in class! Happy PPF!

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  11. Amazing, creative, wonderful year! Love your Life Book 2013 piece, cute and great concept! Happy PPF!

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  12. Quite the year ~ all wonderfully creative work ~ Great post ^_^

    (A Creative Harbor aka ArtMuse Dog and Carol ^_^)

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  13. Jessica.. you just blew my mind. What a fabulous year, not to mention the work it took to put this post together. You are gifted in so many way, and our friendship means so much to me also.

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  14. you really know how to live and fill life full of fun.
    a joy to see all your art and beautiful and meaningful events.

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  15. What a year you've had! You are so inspiring ~ I hope I can accomplish half as much in 2013 :)
    Have a wonderful weekend!
    ~ Maggie

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  16. What a fabulous YEAR Jessica! What fabulous ART !

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  17. Your year is such an inspiration! Thanks for sharing your journey with us!!

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  18. A beautiful walk through 2012, Jessica. I enjoyed seeing all the paintings and your lovely family and friends' photos.

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  19. You had one amazing year, Jessica. I love seeing the steps you took and how each one built upon the other to bring you to where you are now. It goes to show that the choices we make along the way are what builds us. Beautiful. Wishing you and even better 2013!

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  20. What an amazing and creative year.... I loved sharing it with you.

    I am doing Life Book again this year... I enjoyed it so much last year. I loved seeing your page for Lesson 1 - hoping to get busy with mine at the weekend!

    Karen x

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  21. What a year! I feel so blessed to have been a part of it! May 2013 exceed your expectations!

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  22. I love your goals page! How cute is that! A great look back on the year. Happy PPF!

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  23. What an exciting year you had. It has been so inspiring getting to know you just a little through the blogs. It will be fun to watch what you do next. Thank you for sharing all of the great classes that you took.

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  24. Wow you have had a busy and creative year! So glad you started that challenge!

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  25. Wow! You made a lot of art last year! Way to go--looks beautiful and so fun!

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  26. Love your blessings and goals pages! So cute!
    And a wonderful recap of your amazing year!!
    ♥♥♥
    Happy PPF!!
    Mary
    Mixed-Media Map Art

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  27. You did your page! It looks great!!!! I did my fairy and can't wait to start this one! What a FABULOUS year you had!!!!!

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  28. What an amazing year you have had , so much work! Love the goal page.

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  29. what an amzingly creative year you've had Jessica and I absolutely LOVE your goal page-fantastic!!

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  30. Your life book page is fantastic!!!! So much fun. Great job.

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  31. WOW.. What an amazing year. Looks like you are enjoying your new Art life. Look forward to seeing what you end up doing this year. HPPF

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  32. You've done so much...to my envy! Lol! Create would be a deam! So glad you tried canvas...kudos! Your work is brilliant, truly brilliant! What a fab year! Can't wait to we what's in store for next!

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  33. Such an amazing 2012! Happy new Year, my friend! It has been wonderful getting to know you!!!!! I am looking forward to 2013!!!!!

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  34. Thanks so much for the shout-out Jessica! It has been awesome getting to know you! Your amazing talent is matched by your heart, which shows through in everything you create! I am so glad we met!

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  35. jessica, what an eventful year you had, full of art adventures! i enjoyed reading & seeing all you've done. i'm taking lifebook too. :)

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  36. Wow, what a year! I hope 2013 will bring as much joy and creativity, health and love for you and your loved ones!

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  37. Your pages are a reflection of the beautiful and splendid days you have spent last year...touch wood !...I am sure you will glide through 2013 too with the magical touch of your art and family :)

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  38. Wow, what a year you had. It's inspiring to see how much you were able to create.

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  39. Every bit gorgeous, the art, the people, the gigs! Blessed is what you are! Here's to a remarkable 2013!

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